Review from Devourerofbooks.com: “I was really surprised about just how readable Taggart made a book about chemicals and their potential ramifications on health. When I started reading ‘Smart Mama’s Green Guide’ I was worried about more than just readability. I was also concerned that most of what the book would do would be to worry me and offer little in the way of practical means to do something about exposure to toxins. Evidently I shouldn’t have worried about that either, because after every section, Taggart has a small wrap-up describing easy ways for parents to reduce their childrens’ exposure.”

I love to write, and accept freelance writing projects. Just send me an email at jennifer@thesmartmama.com. I prefer to blog and write about topics close to my heart – green parenting, environmental hazards, etc. I am also an expert in the CPSIA – the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act and relaetd issues.

I was a guest blogger at Dr. Greene’s Perspectives blog. My topics were

My appearances include For and Friends, Fox and Friends After Show Show, BetterTV, Martha Stewart Radio and Go Green Radio with host Jill Buck. I’ve been profiled in Washington Post, MSNBC, and others. More on my media coverage are listed in my Book Jennifer page. I’d love to speak at your event.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

I’m a mom of 2 (my son is 6 and my daughter is 4) and a children’s environmental health advocate. In my real life, I’m an environmental attorney specializing in consumer product labeling and Proposition 65 and have been for 15 years. Prior to becoming an attorney, I was an environmental engineer for 5 years.

I’m a typical overscheduled working mom – always trying to do to much with too little sleep. My interest in children’s environmental health stems from my work, but also from suffering two miscarriages before getting pregnant with my son. I had tried so hard not to get pregnant for so many years, it was ironic that I couldn’t get and stay pregnant. But I started wondering if environmental reasons may have been a contributing factor to the unexplained miscarriages. And that ignited my already existing interest in reducing toxic chemical exposure. So, I’ve been trying to raise my kids in a non-toxic environment, with a somewhat doubting husband. I focus on simple, practical steps to reduce or eliminate toxic chemical exposures in the home.

The gritty details: I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Science from California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo. I earned my law degree from Southwestern University School of Law (cum laude) and was nominated to the Order of the Barristers.

After graduating from Cal Poly, I worked as a CEIP Intern for the East Bay Municipal Utility District, focusing on compliance with AB 2588, the Air Toxics “Hot Spots” Information and Assessment Act. Subsequently, I worked as an environmental engineer for Rockwell International, Rocketdyne Division. As an environmental engineer, I specialized in air quality and air toxic issues, including risk assessment, and Proposition 65, California’s toxic exposure and warning law.

I went to night school while working for Rocketdyne. After earning my law degree, I entered into private practice, specializing in environmental law. I am a partner with Demetriou, Del Guercio, Springer & Francis, LLP. My practice includes advising clients on consumer product labeling laws and compliance with Proposition 65, California’s law requiring notice before exposing consumers and others to certain chemicals.

I served as a Commissioner of the Los Angeles City Environmental Affairs Commission from 1996 to 2005. The Los Angeles City Environmental Affairs Department advises the Mayor and the City Council on environmental matters.